Friday-Night is Music Night!

Happy Birthday John Williams!

First broadcast: Fri 14th Dec 2012, 20:00 on BBC Radio 2

A long time ago in a galaxy not so far, far away composer John Williams sat at his grand piano to sketch out ideas for his next film score. He knew little about the subject matter apart from the fact that it was a "spaceship film". His friend Steven Spielberg had recommended him to the film's producer who was called George Lucas. He set to work on the main theme - a blast of discordant brass - a fanfare to herald the start of the film. In later years he said - I hope I wrote something mysterious, dramatic, and hugely effective.

In 2005 the American Film Institute named the soundtrack to Star Wars as the most memorable film score of all time.

This special Friday Night is Music Night concert celebrates the music of composer John Williams in this his 80th birthday year.

John Williams was born in New York in 1932. His father was the percussionist - Johnny Williams - who played in the CBS radio orchestra. John started to play piano aged 7 and followed his father into the freelance musician's world. Whilst employed at Universal television he wrote a

number of catchy TV theme tunes including the signature tune to the children's cult series - Lost in Space. But by 1967 he was scoring music for the big screen and he received the first two of his forty-seven Oscar nominations for Best Score Adaptation of The Valley of the Dolls and Goodbye, Mr Chips.

John Williams is perhaps the last great movie maestro who writes big orchestral music for the screen - continuing a line which has included - Franz Waxman; Erich Korngold and Alfred Newman.

Tonight's concert features the BBC Concert Orchestra under their Principal Conductor, Keith Lockhart who has worked with John and who took over from him as Principal Conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra. They are joined by the choral forces of London Voices who have featured on many of John's film soundtracks including Star Wars and Harry Potter.

Tonight's concert recorded last month at the Watford Colosseum includes music from John's Academy Award winning scores - Jaws; Star Wars; E.T.; and the young violinist Charlie Siem joins the orchestra to perform music from Schindler's List. Also included Close Encounters of the Third Kind; Raiders of the Lost Ark; Empire of the Sun; The Witches of Eastwick; Hook; Jurassic Park;

Amistad; Saving Private Ryan; Harry Potter; along with his most recent Oscar nominated scores for Warhorse and Tin Tin. 

Music Played

BBC Concert Orchestra & Keith Lockhart
Friday Night Is Music Night Opening Sig Tune

BBC Concert Orchestra C.B. Keith Lockhart
Star Wars

BBC Concert Orchestra C.B. Keith Lockhart
Warhorse Music ( 'The Homecoming )

BBC Concert Orchestra C.B. Keith Lockhart
"Jaws" Main Theme

BBC Concert Orchestra C.B. Keith Lockhart
Call of the champions Fanfare For The 2002 Winter Olympics
Artist: London Voices

BBC Concert Orchestra C.B. Keith Lockhart
Far And Away

BBC Concert Orchestra C.B. Keith Lockhart
Superman Theme

Charlie Siem
Schindler's List - Main Theme
Artist: BBC Concert Orchestra C.B. Keith Lockhart

BBC Concert Orchestra C.B. Keith Lockhart
Hymn to the fallen
Artist: London Voices

BBC Concert Orchestra C.B. Keith Lockhart
March: Raiders Of The Lost Ark

BBC Concert Orchestra C.B. Keith Lockhart
Dry Your Tears Africa
Artist: London Voices

BBC Concert Orchestra C.B. Keith Lockhart
Flight To Neverland

BBC Concert Orchestra C.B. Keith Lockhart
Jurassic Park

BBC Concert Orchestra C.B. Keith Lockhart
Devil's Dance (From The Witches Of Eastwick)

BBC Concert Orchestra C.B. Keith Lockhart
Harry Potter Wondrous World

BBC Concert Orchestra C.B. Keith Lockhart
Home Alone - Somewhere In My Memory
Artist: London Voices

BBC Concert Orchestra C.B. Keith Lockhart
Merry Christmas Merry Christmas
Artist: London Voices

BBC Concert Orchestra C.B. Keith Lockhart
Et Flying

BBC Concert Orchestra C.B. Keith Lockhart
Friday Night Is Music Night Closing Sig Tune

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